Sporting heroes, political leaders and the man who inspired Bradley Wiggins’s
sideburns were joined in tribute yesterday to the first Briton to win the
Tour de France.

Paul Weller, the musician and a veteran of the Mod lifestyle that Wiggins
admires, sent a message through his Twitter account shortly after Wiggins
had crossed the finish line at the Champs Elysees in Paris. “Congratulations
to @bradwiggins on winning the @letour from all at Paul Weller HQ,” an
assistant wrote on his behalf. “What an amazing achievement!”

The cyclist’s triumph prompted messages of congratulations from the Prime
Minister and the Leader of